Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division, Vancouver

The Office appreciates the benefits of a healthy life-work balance as well as a respectful, inclusive and diverse workplace. Successful candidates will join an Office in which every person is committed to providing exceptional legal services and where individual professional development is encouraged and supported. The exceptional benefits of joining the AGO include: 

• A competitive benefit package that includes affordable medical plan options, dental benefits and retirement plans
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave and Paid Holidays
• Transparent salary schedule - AAG salaries are set between $82,212 and $153,996. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA

• The AGO will pay the general bar dues of someone who begins their assignment on or before January 31st per Article 10.8 of the AWAAG CBA

• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• A formal AAG mentoring program that complements the AGO's inherently collegial and supportive environment
• Health and wellness program
• Training and career development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide 

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The WA State Attorney General’s Office is looking for an attorney to serve in its Regional Services Division in Vancouver. This attorney will work in a high-volume, fast-paced litigation practice entailing frequent state court docket and trial appearances. The Vancouver section has 19 attorneys and 17 professional staff and represents a wide variety of clients in courts in Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Klickitat and Skamania Counties in Southwest Washington.

The position is located in downtown Vancouver, Washington. Vancouver has a population of approximately 190,000 people and is Washington's fourth largest city. Vancouver is also part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area, the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. Combining amenities of a smaller city with access to more urban opportunities, Vancouver has much to offer. There are two public school districts in Vancouver, and many more in nearby areas. Vancouver also offers excellent access to outdoor activities, including the nearby Cascade Mountain range, downhill skiing on Mt. Hood, beach access in both Washington and Oregon, and great regional bicycling, walking, and running paths.

All attorneys in this division may be assigned to a wide variety of clients according to the needs of the client agencies and the office, as well as the skills, experience, and professional development needs of attorneys.

Client agencies served by the Vancouver AGO include the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF), the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the Department of Labor and Industries (LNI), Employment Security Department (ESD), Clark College, Lower Columbia College, Washington State Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth and Washington School for the Deaf, Washington State School for the Blind, and Educational Service District 112.  Representation of DCYF includes advice and legal representation of the agency in child welfare cases, foster care and childcare licensing cases, and cases involving founded findings of child abuse. Representation of DSHS includes vulnerable adult protection cases, community-based long-term care facility licensing cases, and miscellaneous superior court matters. The willingness to be assigned to any of the client agencies is expected of all attorneys in this division.

It is anticipated that the attorney in this position may carry a mixed caseload. The primary assignment will be to represent DCYF in child welfare cases to protect abused and neglected children in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases before the trial and appellate courts. This position involves a fast-paced litigation workload, with weekly court appearances on the juvenile calendar, and frequent trials. The subject matter can be difficult, but the work is remarkably rewarding.  These cases directly influence the lives of children in our state, in a very meaningful way. The position will may also include representation of DCYF in childcare, foster care, and group care licensing cases. These cases involve advising the client regarding regulatory enforcement matters, representing the agency in contested matters before the Office of Administrative Hearings, and related Superior Court judicial review proceedings under the Washington Administrative Procedures Act. The position will involve regular regional travel within Washington State. 

For representation of the Department of Children Youth and Families, the assigned AAG can expect to:

• Evaluate evidence to determine legal sufficiency to support court intervention;
• Review relevant petitions and other documents;
• Apply the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act to the juvenile cases;
• Consult with social workers and other agency employees;
• Submit and respond to discovery;
• Prepare witnesses and evidence for hearing or trial;
• Review reports submitted to the court;
• Perform research and analysis;
• Submit relevant briefing to the court;
• Communicate frequently with other attorneys and guardians ad litem to resolve issues related to underlying cases;
• Consider settlement options; and
• Take all other actions related to these matters. 

The position offers an opportunity to quickly develop significant opportunities to exercise independent judgment within the context of a large law office striving to provide consistent representation to client agencies in locations throughout the state. 

The attorney hired for this position will join a division composed of talented and dedicated colleagues, all of whom are determined to provide the best legal services for the clients and people they serve. At the same time, the Regional Services Division, like the whole of the Attorney General's Office, is committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere which is supportive, inclusive and collegial for its employees, with the shared goal of achieving a high level of personal and professional satisfaction.

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, specific qualifications for this position include: 

• The ability to quickly adapt to a practice that involves assignment of 60 or more cases at a time, and the ability to shift from one type of work to another during a given week or day;
• The ability to communicate with a variety of client agency representatives efficiently and effectively, as well as with attorney and non-attorney colleagues within the office, is critical to success in the position;
• A passion for child welfare and experience or a strong desire to litigate are desirable; and
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage time, to identify and prioritize tasks necessary to complete, and to maintain a well-organized practice under significant caseload demands are essential.

Applicants must have graduated from a law school accredited by the ABA or completed the WSBA's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program and; be licensed to practice law in Washington State. (Applicants who meet the other stated qualifications and are actively pursuing admission will also be considered.) The AGO seeks applicants who are committed to public service as demonstrated by an applicant's background, talents, attitude, and enthusiasm for public law practice. The AGO greatly encourages, celebrates and values diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfill its mission of providing excellent, independent and ethical legal services to the State of Washington and protecting the rights of its people.

This AAG position is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. AAG salaries are set between $82,212 and $153,996. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA. A competitive state benefits package is also offered which includes a choice of medical/dental insurance plans, retirement, life and basic long-term disability insurance. In addition, there are non-financial benefits that include working in a collaborative and supportive work environment where professional development and work-life balance are highly valued. The health, safety and professional satisfaction of all AGO staff and volunteers is critical to fulfilling the mission of the AGO to provide exceptional legal services. Complementing and fostering this goal is a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, as evidenced in the AGO's environmental policies.

Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system and preferably as PDFs:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and
• A Writing sample (10 pages or less).

If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Interim Section Chief Kim Witherspoon at (360) 759-2100 or via email at KimberlyM.Witherspoon@atg.wa.gov.  

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Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment.  Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.  Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.